Kingdom Hall No More
JoinedDaniel J. Chamberlayne was raised in the middle class area of Hollis, Queens, New York by his parents Warren and Louise Chamberlayne. In September of 1974, at the young age of 7, Daniel experienced the tragic loss of his father while vacationing with his parents in Acapulco, Mexico and soon after, Daniel's mother; Louise Chamberlayne dedicated her life to Jehovah and became a baptized Jehovah Witness. With Daniel's father now gone, Young Daniel was now indoctrinated as an associate of the Jehovah Witness by his mother and started attending the Kingdom Hall that was located on Hollis Avenue and 201 Street on the regular and was recognized as a un-baptized publisher. Daniel tried constantly to cope with the loss of his father by embracing the teachings of Jehovahs Witnesses. Of the many lessons learned, the one most favored was a prophecy of Armageddon arriving in 1975 and all who had perished would return. Daniel would wait patiently only to realize there would be no 8th birthday with no birthday cake, no return of his father, and no answers. Nevertheless, Daniel honored his mother and participated in all the activities of the Kingdom Hall throughout his childhood till his early twenties. Stifled by the organizational rules, of which there were many, and a great price to pay for anyone breaking them, Daniel began to live a double life. One as a Jehovahs Witness and a secret life of partying, drinking, girls, and eventually embrace the Hip Hop culture. As a hip hop artist, creating music and writing raps was Daniels outlet to dealing with a life of loss, betrayal and resentment that had been building up inside him. Struggling within and seeing the human side of himself put Daniel in jeopardy of being exposed and possible excommunication from an organization which his mother, Louise, was in good standing with. It was the law, so he adapted. In addition, to continued service as a Jehovah's Witness, Daniel continued making music and hanging with worldly friends such as his childhood associate LL Cool Jay, and his DJ Cut Creator, and freestyling in the streets, parks, backyards with emcees like Mikey D from Laurelton, Queens, The Dynamic Brothers from Freeport,Long Island, and on the college radio WBAU with Doctor Dre from Yo MTV RAPS Chuck D, Mc Dj Flavor, from the Rap Group Public Enemy, to name a few. Daniel was a master at integrating the teachings into his music. His slick lyrics with biblical undertones, earned him the name "Geechie Dan". Although he was offered a recording contract at 19 years old, he rejected it. Deep inside he understood why the sacrifice was necessary. At 16, Daniel started working on Wall Street as a messenger in Lower Manhattan, New York and graduated from Francis Lewis H.S in the year of 1985 and a year later in 1986, he entered York College in Jamaica, Queens, New York. He continued on attending the kingdom Hall as instructed by his mother and on September 4, 1988, by no choice of his, Daniel had gotten baptized as a Jehovah Witness and recognized as an ordained minister in the organization of Jehovah Witness. 18 months later in the early months of 1990, Daniel's name was publicly read out at the congregation he had been attending for over 15 years that he was now "dis-fellowshipped" and no longer recognized as a Jehovah Witness in good standing 17 years later Daniel has lived in New York, New Mexico and is currently living in Atlanta, Georgia. He is soon to release his freshman title, The Kingdom Hall No More. A riveting book about his life experiences with the Kingdom Hall.